Health care is a dynamic and complex industry experiencing significant growth and
change. In 2006, health care expenditures accounted for 16% of GDP in the United States
as compared to about 9% of GDP in other Organization for Economic Development
(OECD) countries. In addition to having one of the highest percentages of GDP, the U.S.
annual rate of increase is almost double that of most developed nations. These expenditures
are also highly concentrated. For example, in the United States, a small population bears a disproportionately high share of health care expenses; about 5% of health care
spenders account for almost half the health care spending.
The debates affecting the eventual definition of care, care delivery, financing, and
access to care are being held in the halls of Congress and in the boardrooms of large
and small employers, and found in the countless daily interactions between care
providers and those they serve. In August of 2007, the Kaiser Family Foundation’s
Health Tracking Poll asked respondents to select two most important issues for the
government to address. Health care was the second most cited issue at 27% just after
the Iraq war.1